Business

[ad_1] Image caption The company started making shoes in Somerset in 1825 The shoe retailer Clarks has announced its UK factory could close. The firm opened a new manufacturing unit in 2017, featuring “robot-assisted” technology, at its headquarters in Street, Somerset. Up to 300,000 pairs a year of the footwear firm’s desert boots were to […]

[ad_1] Image copyright PA The West Midlands had the strongest annual house price growth across the UK in the 12 months to November 2018. But housing activity in southern England was muted because of Brexit uncertainty. Average house prices across the UK climbed by 2.8%, rising from 2.7% annual growth in October 2018. In the […]

[ad_1] Image copyright PA The UK inflation rate fell to 2.1% in December, from 2.3% the previous month, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figure was the lowest in nearly two years, pushed down by petrol price falls. The inflation reading was in line with analysts’ expectations. The […]

[ad_1] Image copyright Getty Images Renault is moving to replace its boss, Carlos Ghosn, who is in detention on charges of financial misconduct, according to media reports. The French carmaker has kept Mr Ghosn on as chief executive and chairman since he was first arrested in November. The reports come after a Tokyo court rejected […]

[ad_1] Image copyright Getty Images Tourism operators in Australia’s claim inaccuracies in Google Maps are deterring potential visitors, by making remote attractions appear further away than they actually are. The Queensland government in north-east Australia has complained to Google, which says it will look into the issue. Firms looking to promote their small towns as […]

[ad_1] Image copyright Reuters The leader of the UK’s biggest business lobby said the government accepts the country is in a “new era” following the defeat of its Brexit proposal. John Allan, president of the CBI, was speaking on the BBC after a conference call hosted by Chancellor Philip Hammond. He was reassured that the […]

[ad_1] Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Trade between the UK and Japan hit £28bn last year Countries in Asia have moved to reassure businesses as the defeat of Theresa May’s Brexit deal creates fresh uncertainty for their economies and trade. Japan, a vocal critic of a no-deal Brexit, said it would seek clarity on […]

[ad_1] Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Former Apple executive Tony Fadell says the Swiss watch industry must adapt to a digital world. There are people at Geneva’s annual watch show who would probably prefer to have an arm lopped off than wrap a smartwatch on their wrist. The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie […]

[ad_1] Adele Shelmerdine has struggled since moving to universal credit last year. The 49-year-old Wirral resident had debts, and says the switch to the new benefits system left her suicidal. Now a debt charity has called on the government to take account of affordability when assessing claims. The Department for Work and Pensions said: “We […]

[ad_1] Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Rihanna claims her father is exploiting her name Singer Rihanna has taken her father to court in the US, accusing him exploiting her name to further his entertainment business. She claims her father, Ronald Fenty, and his business partner have falsely suggested that she is connected to their […]

[ad_1] Image copyright Reuters Image caption The SEC disclosed the hack of its Edgar filing system in 2017 The US has charged ten defendants, including two Ukrainian hackers, for their roles in the 2016 breach of a key government financial database. Authorities said the hackers broke into the corporate filing system, gaining confidential information on […]

[ad_1] Image copyright Getty Images The pound has recovered some of its losses after MPs voted to reject Theresa May’s Brexit deal. The vote opens up a range of outcomes, including no deal, a renegotiation of Mrs May’s deal, or a second referendum. Sterling was still down on the day by 0.4% to $1.279 after […]